Parenting Tips for Planning for Summer Camp

Summer Camp can be an exciting and scary time for a child. What few consider is that it can be a scary time for a parent as well. For some children, this may be one of the first times that they have been away from home for an extended period of time. And you are leaving your child with virtual strangers to care for and protect them. Of COURSE you will be worried and concerned!

Your child, and you, do not have to spend all of your time worrying and being scared prior to going to camp. Prepare sufficiently and you will have a safe and easy camp experience. Camp can be a glorious and wonderful time in the life of a child. And for a parent, it can be a time of relaxation and lack of worry as your child enjoys an experience that they will never forget. My daughter has been attending sleep away summer camps every year for the past 5 years and she plans to be a counselor as soon as she is old enough. Here are ten tips to help you and your child prepare for summer camp. Follow these tips and you will do just fine.

1. Match the camper to the camp. Do not send your child to a rough sleep-in-a-tent camp if they hate bugs. Do not send your child to a cheerleader camp if they are not a joiner. There are enough different camps out there that you can find a camp to match your child's interests.

2. Allow your child to help pick out the camp, the time period they will be gone and the items they will pack. This will help them have a feeling of control over the experience and help you by keeping them happy and occupied.

3. Don't overpack or underpack. Follow the camp's packing suggestions. Most camps will give you a suggested packing list that will cover anything that your child might need.

4. Do not send items such as iPods, cell phones or electronic games. These not only will usually be against the rules but can also be lost, stolen or broken. Your child will be busy enough that they will not need them.

5. Follow your camp's rules for snack foods and money. Do not send them if they are not allowed.

6. Make sure any prescription medicines are listed with the camp and enough meds are available. Fill out forms for any nonprescription medications your child may need. These forms should be included with the registration packets.

7. Definitely send your child with their favorite stuffed animal and a picture of their family. This will give them a connection with home when they are feeling lonely.

8. Provide your child with preaddressed and prestamped enveloped or postcards so that they can write home without having to remember their address.

9. When you write a letter to your child at camp, make sure that you stay upbeat and happy throughout the letter. Don't tell them how their little brother can't sleep without them there or how the dog misses them. This will just make them feel that you cannot do without them and the homesickness could get worse.

10. Never tell your child that if they hate camp you will just come and get them. This is telling your child you don't think they can handle it. Make sure to tell your child you know they will be fine and you will see them when camp is over. Remember that the camp is used to dealing with homesick children and knows how to distract them and interest them in other things. Your child might be homesick for a short time but they will get over it. If there is anything really wrong or if the camp counselors are concerned enough then you will be notified.

One last bonus tip: Relax! Enjoy this time and allow your child to enjoy it.

Visit either of these sites for more information:

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National Camp Association

http://www.summercamp.org/media/index.html

American Camp Association

http://www.aca-camps.org/